Poem: The Trenches

The Trenches

This is where life is fought,
not on the parade ground with colors bright
and creases pin-sharp
create oohs and ahs from the spectators,
lined to watch the show,

Not in the battlefield
where bravery is expected
and reactions, not our minds
rule the day,

but here, in the dark holes
of the trenches,
where, helpless, our walls
protect us, and we hunker down,

preparing in silence
for that moment
where we charge,
or flee. 

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The picture was taken at the Army Heritage Center, in Carlyse, PA, where they have, among other things, a recreation of World War One trenches. This was the headquarters of this section of trenches. You can click on it for a larger version.

Tom

Poem: Chains

Chains

Rusted, they no longer hold you,
no longer bind you to the past, straining
like Atlas holding a world not
of your making,

no longer wrapped around you
like a death embrace, false protection,
false love, false truth. No,
they are now

museum pieces, and you wonder
how you made them, what
madness caused you to forge each link,
one by slow one, what

blindness could not see the binding
was not theirs,
but yours and you laugh
even as you forge new links. 

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The picture was taken in Rupert, VT. You can click on it for a larger version.

Tom

Poem: Every Death Has A Story

Every Death Has a Story

The building stands like a boxer, punch drunk, 

a fresh coat of paint on the front, 

the back and foundations battered, 

abandoned, 

the slow erosion of time and neglect leaving

a facade, waiting for the final beam to crack

or for the wrecker's ball to strike

one final blow, 

to end the song, silence the music

that once lifted the hearts, like you, 

now worn, now waiting, 

a fraction, nay

less than that, of who and what you were, 

still savable, but failing, struggling, 

unwilling to collapse, 

unable to rise, 

echoes of opera and burlesque, 

of soul dancing and moments of frivolous courage, 

all resound in the silence, 

you look at the whitewashed walls, 

aware

that every death has a story, 

even before it comes. 

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The pictures of are of the old Equinox Opera House, in Manchester Vermont. It was recently approved for demolition by the town, so it's days are numbered. You can click on it for a larger view, or visit my facebook album to see more shots. 

The Title was blatantly stolen from the New York Times, who take someone from the obituaries and fleshes out their life in a column called "Every Life Tells a Story." I am not an obituary reader, but that title gave me the idea.

Tom 

Poem: Two Views of Abandonment

Abandonment #1

Abandonment doesn’t happen

all at once, but

in slow steps,

a backing away, where

at any moment

a return is possible, until

you turn away

and stop seeing

what was left behind.

Abandonment #2

Abandonment doesn’t happen

all at once, but

you see it, the slow steps

backing away, always

more distant, waiting

for you to reach out

and draw them near

again.

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The picture was taken  down the road at the edge of West Pawlet. You can click on it for a large version. 

Tom 

The Power of Vulnerability

The Huffinington Post says that the idea in this TED talk by Brene Brown is one of the most important ideas of 2011. I've lived on both sides of what she is talking about, and my feeling is stronger. I think it is one of the most important ideas for a better life... ever.  And it fits in this month's them of self-honesty.

Go see it here. 

Tom

Poem: Two Ways to Maintain a Fence

Two Ways to Maintain a Fence

You may paint it
each season,
and keep your vigilance,
replacing each slat
as they begin
to falter,
so you are sure
the wall never fails,
and you are protected,
always safe
and alone,
always behind
the perfect picket
so all will see you
and say
how beautiful your fence
is,
missing
what lies behind.

Or you may let it go,
refuse to repaint
or rebuild,
let it weaken
in seasons of summer storms,
let it lean,
break,
rot,
and slowly
have it fall
apart
so animals,
children,
and lovers
may push it over
and walk in.

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The picture was taken in Wells, Vermont. You can click on it for a larger view.

Tom